A 3D-printed continuously variable transmission for an electric vehicle prototype

This paper aims to present the design of a new 3D-printed continuously variable transmission (CVT) developed for an electric vehicle prototype competing in Shell Eco-marathon electric battery category, a world-wide energy efficiency competition sponsored by Shell. The proposed system is composed of a polymeric conic geared friction wheel assembled in the motor axle and directly coupled to the rear tire of the vehicle. The conical shape allows to implement a continuous variation of the geared friction wheel diameter in contact with the tire. The motor with the geared friction wheel was mounted over a board with linear bearings, allowing the speed ratio to change by moving the board laterally. A computational simulation model of a prototype electric vehicle with the proposed 3D-printed CVT was created in Matlab/Simulink environment to obtain the traction force in the geared friction wheel and also to analyze the vehicle performance. The simulation results demonstrated possibilities of increasing vehicle speed range output and available torque in the rear traction wheel. Also, it is shown with the simulated model that the designed CVT consumes 10.46% less energy than a fixed transmission ratio, demonstrating the CVT concept?s potential for battery consumption reduction. Lastly, a 3D-printing slicing software with an optimization algorithm plug-in was used to determine the best printing parameters for the conic geared friction wheel based on the tangential force, maximum displacement and safety factor. When compared to the original part with a 100% infill density, the optimized solution reduced the component mass by about 12% while maintaining safe mechanical resistance and stiffness.2314-4B69-C2B9 | C?sar Miguel de Almeida VasquesN/

Nutrition Security Workshop Summary Report : ICAFS 2011 Satellite Workshop D, 12–13 August 2011, Grand Copthorne Waterfront Hotel, Singapore

Workshop participants helped identify areas for possible future programming in agriculture, food, and nutrition security in South East Asia. While there was considerable diversity in terms of priorities in each country, there was also a general call for action in three areas that could benefit all countries within a regional collaboration context (such as the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). These areas are: Policy research/analysis; Systematic study on agriculture-nutrition integration; Communications strategies and platforms

First ASEAN-Canada Forum and Public Symposium : Reflections on an Inclusive and Equitable Asean Community in 2015, 20–21 August 2013, Ho Chi Minh city, Vietnam; report

Given the immense socioeconomic, political and cultural diversity in Southeast Asia, ASEAN provides the space to cultivate a sense of regional community through consensus-building and embracing diversity. In order to transform growth-centred development into people-centred development, there must be greater focus and commitment to nurturing the youth of ASEAN, and more resources and collaborative efforts must be channelled towards education and good governance. Focus sessions and presentations on a variety of topics around inclusivity are summarized. In managing inequality, particular attention has to be given to corruption and taxation

Mercury in Sediment Cores from the Southern Gulf of Mexico: Preindustrial Levels and Temporal Enrichment Trends

Spatial and temporal variability of mercury concentrations in sediments was evaluated in 210Pb-dated sediment cores from offshore and intertidal areas in the southern Gulf of Mexico. In offshore cores, mercury concentrations were comparable (11.2–69.2 ng g−1), and intermediate between concentrations in intertidal cores from the eastern (6.0–34.4 ng g−1) and the western (34.9–137.7 ng g−1) inlets of Términos Lagoon. The enrichment factor (EF) indicated minimal contamination (EF  \u3c  2) in most offshore cores, whereas in some intertidal cores steadily increasing mercury enrichment and fluxes were observed along the past century. No evidence of oil industry related mercury contamination was found, as the minor but increasing enrichment in intertidal cores is most likely related to land-derived sources such as catchment eroded soils and waste water runoff. Results highlight the importance to control catchment erosion and untreated sewage releases to reduce mercury loadings to the coastal zone